| One witness described how smoke belched from the building as firefighters surrounded the scene. |
| Among them were crews of Navajo Scouts, Native American firefighters from Arizona. |
| Bosses say that the firefighters are dragging their heels over their side of the bargain, an agreement to adopt more modern working practices. |
| At one point water began flowing from the back of a firetruck and firefighters were seen making a mad scramble to turn off the supply. |
| Using a technique developed by Wiltshire Fire Brigade, the firefighters cut a number of breaks in the thatch to contain the blaze. |
| Scores of firefighters arrived in 25 vehicles including foam tenders designed to fight chemical fires. |
